okay I did a search and didn't find much. (very surprising!) if you know of a similar thread then please give me the link. I'm looking for a set of heads for my flathead 8ba. Which heads are the best ones to go for? something that wont break the bank but still gives some good performance. I don't mind some used vintage heads either. Not really looking for those unique hard to find ones though. I see a lot of offy heads and edelbrocks but don't know if one is better than the other. I don't really want to block off the water jackets and go with an earlier head. Thanks for the help
Here lately the "unique and hard to find" used performance heads are the ones that ain't cracked and corroded so bad you can't hardly save 'em. Personally I think I would just buy a set of Navarro heads new from H&H. But that's just me.
I would agree with Chubby on the Navarro, but if you are looking for performance a flathead isn't where you should be looking with a small wallet. Nothing looks and sounds better than a flathead, so slow down and ride in style!
ohh yeah I've come to the realization that there isnt performance without spending some money in a flathead. doesnt hurt to try though the navarro heads seem like pretty good ones. I've seen them before but didn't know much about them. I've already got the two carb setup with headers and all that stuff. just trying to squeeze out an extra horse or two. any other suggestions?
The very knowledgeable guy who built a hot flattie for me several years ago favored Navarro and Baron, although they are both about at the top of the price range for new heads. Truthfully, though, anybody's heads are only going to give you a tiny increment in power. Looking back, I think I would have been just as satisfied with massaged stock heads.
If you lack $ and aren't hung up on the finned aluminum look, find a set of '52-'53 Stock Ford EAB heads. The highest compression ratio Ford ever offered, cast iron , and normally cheap.
I like the Navarro heads. Best bet for a hot engine. But I also run Offy's as well. Just depends on your budget. Stock engine, maybe a mild cam and 2x2 intake Offy's will be just fine. Hot flatty, hot cam 3x2, upgraded ignition. The Navarros will complete the set up. Stay with new if you can. Unless your good on spotting issues with used. All in all you gotta love a hopped up flat motor!
by "budget" I meant I don't want to spend my life savings one some rare heads that aren't any better than some I can get anywhere else. Lets say under the $850 range. So far it seems like everyone is leaning towards the navarro's. I don't mind the finned look but also like the clean look. so I guess it doesn't really matter to me.
If your up this way in March there maybe a couple of vendors with heads at Goodguys. But for sure at the April Pate Swap meet at TMS.
I dont know squat about building flatheads, But I heard from a couple sources that the Sharp heads were supposed to be pretty hot stuff as well. Comments?
I think I will have to make my way up there for those meets then. went to the conroe meet today (rain sucks) and didn't find much at all. I cant find sharp heads for an 8ba...I think they are only for the 59's if im not mistaken
They had them for the 8BA originally but the reproductions by Wilcap are only for the 59AB motors. You can adapt the AB heads to the 8BA's. The Pate Swap meet is one of the top 3-4 in the nation. Solid two days to see it all.
Free head is the best head.... Seriously, the heads themselves will probably only offer slight performance advantages between the major after market brands over the late Ford heads. It comes down to what you personally prefer. If you are doing an all out performance build then it might be of more importance.
yeah better cooling would be nice with the texas heat right around the corner. I figured the aftermarket heads would offer a little power as well though. maybe a few ponies? anything would help just short of a full rebuild, stroke, and supercharge
Actually. There is some gain in CP. Minimal but some. The aluminum head also aid in keeping the cylinder cooler at the point of fuel mix.
Cast iron heads have the same warm up / cool down rate as the block, so less prone to leakage and electolysis due to dissimilar metals. I'm just gonna run stock Ford heads on mine, I like the way they look and I'm a cheap bastard.
The only reason to run a hopped up flat head in first place is the Kool factor. You all ready gave up 5 Kool points by starting with a 8BA instead of a 59AB. Stock iron heads are another 10 point penalty. If you don't care about any of this, then you might as well go with one carb and single exhaust.
The bottom side of the head forms the floor of the "port" (for lack of a better word) in the transition area between the valves and the cylinder wall. You know, the area where the old timers cut a relief? I dont build flatties, but I do have a pretty good understanding of how to get air in and out of the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and I think that just may have some influence on power production.
So Cal is selling new Navarro heads, as well as Offy and Edelbrock. Speedway still has Offy and Edelbrock,... I'd avoid the used ones,...never know how muvh has been shave off 'em, and internal corrosion could be a headache. New is less costly, in terms of larer headache prevention. 4TTRUK
As has been stated Navarro and Baron are at the top of the scale (and especially the dollar scale) I have a new set of Baron's for my blower engine. Do not discount Offy's just because they are less expensive and you should give Pat McGuire a call at Wilcap for a price on new Sharp heads, they are very good and Pat is a super guy to deal with they only offer 59A style heads but are easily adapted.
The stock EAB heads have better compression ratio and better flow /chamber than many of the aftermarket aluminum heads.
aluminum (finned) heads restrict flow and work better on a smaller flathead (chamber size).that's why they're called high compression heads.but they do look great. also, most don't have enough valve clearance for a high-lift cam. with that in mind, i'd either go with 8cm (49-53 merc cast iron ) or offy "425" heads.
Alot of great info here on head flow Vs Compression ETC. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76445&page=2
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